Montville — Keith Porter scored 24 points as New London High School won its sixth straight Eastern Connecticut Conference boys' basketball tournament championship with a 52-39 victory over Norwich Free Academy on Friday night before an overflow crowd at St. Bernard.

The third-seeded Whalers took control with an 11-1 run at the end of the third quarter to open a 41-24 lead, then survived a big comeback by No. 5 NFA in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats, who trailed 46-26 midway through the fourth quarter, went on a 13-0 run to pull within eight, but New London scored the final five points.

Both teams upset higher-ranked teams to reach the final. NFA beat No. 1 Ledyard 57-49 in the semifinals while New London defeated No. 2 Woodstock Academy 78-76 in overtime.

New London celebrates their win over NFA in ECC boys basketball tournament championship game Friday, March 1, 2013, at St. Bernard School. The Whalers rolled to a 52-39 for the program's sixth straight ECC tourney title.Sean D. Elliot/The DayBuy Photo